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“The early Hawaiians took advantage of natural fish ponds near the ocean. The seawater seeps through cracks in the lava (too small for fish to escape) and combines with spring water to create a brackish pool of filtered water.” – Image Description.
Aquaculture as we know it today has Ancient roots. It is well documented that Aquaculture had its beginnings in China somewhere around 2,500 BC.
Carp were held up in artificial ponds for use as a source of protein and their “brood” were used to feed their exotic, and much coveted, silkworms. Through breeding and genetic mutation, those Carp became what we know today as the common Goldfish.
The Romans kept fish ponds for both food and enjoyment. The Ancient Hawaiians pioneered Aquaculture; raising both fish for food and plants for consumption, and aesthetic beauty. Their aquaculture centered on lore and mythical gods and deities. Thus aquaculture had a very significant role in their everyday life aside from being “just for food.”
Modern Aquaculture, as we know it, is a new animal. It is relatively “new” because the need for a reliable source of healthy, sustainable food has steadily increased as our Earth’s population has exploded. The ocean can only yield so much (much to the lament of modern-day Fishermen and Shrimpers).
Following the tradition of the Ancients, the wise thing to do was to create a better way to feed the Earth’s population. “Underwater Agriculture,” “The Blue Revolution,” “Fish and Shrimp Farming,” – call it what you like, the reality is the same.
The Ancient Art of Aquaculture has evolved today into a way to feed a multitude…for a fraction of the cost, with less waste, more quality control and, when implemented correctly, a “clean-green” source of protein for the benefit of all.
We cannot “Save the entire World,” yet. However, what we can do, is start by making sure that in our Communities, people are being educated about Modern Aquaculture Technology. We can start by pioneering fresh, new ways to produce disease-free seafood. We can start a new way of looking at how we eat, what we eat…and “how” it gets “here.”
That’s what Modern Aquaculture is all about and that’s the very core of what Island Bounty, SA stands for.
